Pregnancy

If a sperm meets an egg a pregnancy can occur. Several changes in the body happen so that the baby is accommodated in the womb such as increase in hormone levels, increase in womb lining and hence increased blood supply. The higher the hormone levels, the more emotional and irritated the pregnant woman will be.

Each sperm and egg contains 23 pairs of chromosomes. When they join together they produce a human being containing 46 chromosomes. Chromosomes contain genes which carry the baby’s gender, hair, eye and skin colour and other characteristics. The father’s sex chromosome may be either X or Y but the mother’s chromosomes are always XX. Thus it is the father that determines the gender of the baby. If the chromosomes are XY it is a boy, if the chromosomes are XX it is a girl.

Missing a menstrual period is one of the indications of being pregnant. Pregnancy can be a very special time both for the couple. Some women feel at their best when they are pregnant. Some women however may experience morning sickness, nausea or vomiting at any time of day or night. Some women feel more tired than usual, feel their breasts are larger or tenderer or have tingling sensations. Some women may need to urinate more often even during the night, crave specific food items, have more vaginal mucus, loose interest in tobacco or specific foods or have an increased sense of smell. If you think you are pregnant talk to your doctor and carry out a pregnancy test.